Mixed Media Album with Jennifer Preist

Finally done!  Yep, it took me all this time to get my photos together and write this post.  It's so shameful but here it is... another winter CHA project.  This mixed media album was designed by Jennifer Priest of Hydrangea Hippo.  She was very sweet and organized but by the time I sat down in class I was too exhausted to really pay attention and get the project done.  Thankfully Jennifer had emailed us the instructions and I finished putting it all together at home.  It felt good to get it completed.  This was the last of the projects left from CHA to finish.  Out of the three times I've gone to CHA this was the first time that I actually completed everything that I brought home.  Whoot-whoot!

The supplies for this workshop were provided by: Authentique, Zutter, Xyron, Clear Snap, The Twinery, and Want 2 Scrap.   I really love the kit Jennifer put together.   Jennifer had also included dictionary paper and doilies.  We decoupaged them to clipboard wood.  It was a first for me to play with decoupaging and a neat technique to learn.  The only thing complicated about it was waiting for it to dry.


An unexpected gleaning from this class was that Jennifer demystified the Bind-It-All.  I am so thankful to finally know how to use that binding machine!  BIG SMILES!

While putting this together I made a big mistake with the papers for the cover so my album front is totally different than Jennifer's.  Had I not changed the cover one of my pages would of had the print upside down and I couldn't allow that.  Along with my cover being different I also made a few embellishment placement changes. 

The mix of embellies, papers, and design is perfect.  I kept some of the best baubles for my stash and added more of my own blingy gems.  For additional sparkle I also added Stickles here and there.  Actually I added the most on the banner and hot air balloons on the front cover.


I am thinking of using this album for a years worth of combined family birthdays.   This project is not quite a fit color and design wise for our princess pink five year old daughter.

Again this project was designed by Jennifer Priest. You can find her on the web at www.hydrangeahippo.com or teaching classes in California.  She also has an etsy shop.  You can find the link to her shop on her website.

I am glad to have met Jennifer and to have been able to have a seat in her workshop.  She is a very hard worker and an inspiration to all in the crafty world.  I totally recommend her classes especially if you want to learn something unexpected.  Make a visit to her website too.  You won't be sorry.


If you want to compare and contrast the original against my finished book you can find her post on her website titled "Celebrating-- Tomorrow!!!".

I still have two more posts with CHA projects that I hope to eventually get done. Thank you so much for visiting me today!

Smiles,
~Nancy

Links to:
Authentique
Zutter
Clear Snap
Xyron
The Twinery
Want 2 Scrap

Vintage Street Market and Basically Bare

Keeping in step with the latest CHA, here's another workshop sample.  Class was with Candy Rosenberg and it was awesome.  This is from the last of the three classes I was fortunate to have with Candy.  I took my album home with the pages primarily all done.  Once at home I added a bunch of my own embellishments.

Front Cover

I was so excited to open our class kit.  We had the largest of Basically Bare's album and Vintage Street Market goodies to create with!  The album had a mix of acid free cardboard, canvas, envelopes, and clear acrylics.  We had two stashes of Vintage Street Market packets to use.  One envelope had these huge sheets of wrapping and crate paper.  The other had vintage style cutout paper dolls.  Both companies have such unique products.

Click to see a larger view.

Anyhow, here's my final project.  I still need to pick out an event to use the book for.  Maybe next time I am visiting my parent's house I can find some family memorabilia to add to my book.   In the mean time I am happy to look through my book just how it is.  

Check out the dress form above.  It is one of Basically Bare's embellishments.  Here I distressed the edges, added a ribbon and hemp twine for a sash, and finally topped it off with flowers and a heart straight pin.

Notice the brown ruffled trim?  It is a strip of the huge sheet of crape paper and on the right side are two envelopes bound as pages.  One is left bare and the other is covered with the olive wrapping paper.

Do you see the acrylic pages on the right?  They are the same size as the two envelopes from the previous page.  The corners are rounded.  I added matchbook style folded papers.  One on each side.  I can easily tuck a picture or a journal note inside either of the matchbooks.

 Here you can see the backside of the acrylic pages over the bright yellow wrapping paper.  It looks pretty cool if you ask me.

I loved putting this project together.  Every time I look at it I think of the good time I had in class that day.

I'm glad you stopped in on me today!

Smiles,
~Nancy

Links:
Vintage Street Market & Basically Bare
Whatever You Want Wednesday, Free Pretty Things for You

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Quick Quotes Frame

I've heard of Quick Quotes but I never really knew what they were all about until this past CHA.  Basically they are a kit of the month club.  If you ask me they are the grand momma of kit clubs.  This scrapbook company services both the average joe crafter and wholesalers.  They have two types of kits that alternate every other month between layouts and altered arts.

I happened to find their booth when they were demoing one of their altered art projects.  Boy am I glad to have found them.  I LOVE-love their kits!  We made an altered frame from a stretched canvas.  We actually decorated the back of canvas which leaves a space for a 4"x6" photo.

Quick Quotes is pretty cool.  Their styles are right on for the current trends and their products are of quality materials.  I simply adore that each project has already been designed for you to assemble.  They take all the stress out of making something fun and creative.  Every things is even pre-cut.   It's amazing!

I took home this frame almost completely done.  I left a few details to finish at later so it wouldn't be damaged in my suite case.  In transit I had lost some of the additional bling for the flowers so I used some of my own. The portrait is of me and my grown son taken almost two years ago.

So what do you think?  Do you know all about Quick Quotes?  I LOVE THEM!

Smiles,
~Nancy

Quick Quotes Link:  Quick Quotes a Scrapbook Company 

Quick Quotes Blog Link:  QQ Blog

Linking to: Free Pretty Things for You
Whatever You Want Wednesday #66

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Swapp! Irresistible!

Meet the Swapps!

Have you already seen Heidi Swapp's new collection of goodies?  Her products are always clever and innovative.  I know this might sound silly but you have to know that I just discovered Heidi Swapp.  I know she's been a longtime designer in scrapbooking industry but I just had no clue.

Two Make-n-Takes and Promo Sticky Notes

I was totally excited to make my way to her booth at CHA.  Lucky for me, I made two different make-n-takes with her and her husband over a two day period.   They were both very sweet both times.  It was cool.  [Insert BIG happy face here!]

The inside of the card swings out.

Check out how this card swings out.  Too clever for sure!  I know I was impressed.  The card was pretty much pre-assembled.  We added the embellishments.  Those neon tapes are right on with what's going on in the fashion world.  Who would of thought that "NEONS" would be back in?!  I think that Heidi Swapp has made those colors and patterns work well.  I am for sure on board with Heidi Swapps designs.

  

The hearts on the inside.

The cute little ditty with the bow on the front has a surprise on the inside too.  The hearts were pre-cut and all I needed to do was tape them together.  So simple with a great design impact.

Here are my pictures that I snapped while visiting the Heidi Swapp booth.

Heidi Swapp Product Display

Banners and Bows

Trimmings plus more...

Pennants!

I do believe that these are already in stores for purchase.  I know I want it all!

Thank you for stopping in today.  It makes my day brighter to know you were here.

Smiles,
~Nancy

Heidi Swapp's Blog:  Still Me
Linking to Free Pretty Things for You.  Click on these links:   Free Pretty Things for You & Whatever You Want Wednesday

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I Spy... Teri Anderson with Technique Tuesday

Teri Anderson

Guess who I saw in Anaheim?  Well, I guess my title gave it away.  Yep, I spied Teri Anderson at the Technique Tuesday booth.  She was hosting a make-and-take.  I definitely had to stop in and make a card with her.  (Insert BIG CHEESY SMILE here!)

So here's that card:

Technique Tuesday Card with Terri

It's a gate fold card.  We stamped the panels with Technique Tuesday stamps.  A little color here and there with some bling and that was it.

Inside sentiment: Thanks so much!

I tell you making the card was fun but ultimately it was cool to chat with Terri and see what was going on at the Technique Tuesday booth.

You can find Teri at her blog.  Click on this link:  Teri's Place
Here is the link to Technique Tuesday's Blog:  Technique Tuesday's Ideas & Inspiration

I love this style of card and I hope you do too!

Smiles,
~Nancy

p.s.  I didn't design the card.  It was a project sample designed by Technique Tuesday.

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Crazy Love Basically Bare Minibook

Here's another minibook from my recent trip to Winter CHA 2012.  This sample features a Basically Bare album and cool embellishments.  We also used papers from 7 Gypsies.  (Here's a link to the 7 Gypsies blog:  Gypsy Journal.)  These two companies go together like bread and butter!

I had such a good time creating this book.  The workshop ladies were creative and laid back.  We learned how to distress the archival safe cardboard pages.  I would of never thought to do that on my own.  What a great touch!

I couldn't wait to get home and put in my personal touches.  The only things I added were my pictures, keepsakes, and handmade ribbon roses.  The album was the perfect size for the enveloped notes that my husband leaves for me.  Even the sticky notes fit too.

Lots and lots of pages...

and more...

and it goes on...

two more left...

last one!

That's it!

I can't say enough about Basically Bare.  They are AWESOME!  You can check out there blog here:  Basically Bare Design Blog.  They are currently having their first design team call.  I am totally considering putting in my application!  I think it would grow me as an artist to be on their team.

Anyhow, have a great day everyone!  Thank you so much for stopping by.

Smiles,

~Nancy

Free Pretty Things for You Link Party

I am linking this to "Whatever You Want Wednesday" at Free Pretty Things for You.

Click on the links above to check it out.

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Valentine Creations

It's the night before Valentine's Day.  Are you frantically trying to figure out what you can do to make for your loved ones to make them feel special?

I know one lady out in blogland that didn't waste any time in making me feel special.  Doris of The Stamp Tower sent me this beautiful card.  Not only is it beautiful but it's also clever.  This gate fold card is held shut by the large pink embossed heart.  The side of the card front with the white heart is a tear off bookmark.  How awesome is that!

RAK Card made by Doris Smith

THANK YOU Doris for thinking of me!

I spent some time this evening with my daughter getting her classmate's Valentine's together.  We used free printables that I found through Pinterest as the main piece.   Creative Mamma created and shared this  cute Kawaii Valentine's Kit on her blog.  You can hop on over to her blog for the complete kit and super fun downloads.  Here's her blog link:  Creative Mamma

Signing her Valentines

I used only one page of the kit for her cards.  There was a blank space perfect for stamping so I stamped on the sentiment "Giggle laugh and be silly".  My daughter taped on the sparkly foam hearts after she signed her name under the sentiment "Friends forever" on the back.  Both stamps were from The Angel Company.  She was so proud to sign her name and she can hardly wait to give them out at school tomorrow.  I'm so excited for her.

Giggle laugh and be silly.

THANK YOU Creative Momma!  I love your style!  

Lastly I printed off this awesome card with envelope printable from Daily Suze.  Here is the link to her blog post:  Free Printable Love Card for Valentine's Day at Almalu' Place.  The printable was put on plain copy paper and then put onto a blank notecard.  This duo is just perfect for an anniversary note for my husband.

Printable from Daily Suze

 THANK YOU Daily Suze!  That color combo pops and the design is so sweet.

I will be celebrating our eighth year of marriage tomorrow.  It just seems like yesterday when I first met my husband.  I thank God for putting Andrew into my life and for using him to teach me about love.

That's about it from me for today.   I hope you all have a blessed and loving Valentine's Day.

Smiles,

~Nancy

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Upcycled T-shirt Necklace with Felt Fashioned Flower

Upcycled T-Shirt Necklace with Felt Flower

I was given a promo t-shirt which label read that it was "One Size Fits All".  It was maybe a one size fits all toddlers t-shirt.  I knew for sure that I couldn't squeeze into that baby and look respectable.  So it was really easy for me to snip that shirt up and refashion it into something else.  

Snip-snip-snip away into strips it went.  A little braiding and glue here and there and I wound up with a great base for my lovely felted grey flower.  Now that teeny-tiny t-shirt is something I can wear and know that I'm not showing off my fluff.

Don't ever be afraid to change something in your wardrobe into something else that makes for a better fit.      You just never know what it might turnout to be.

Linking this project to: Polly Want a Crafter Link Party 63








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My Little Shoebox Minibook - Winter CHA 2012

Hello there!  I was privileged and blessed to get to go to Anaheim for CHA last month.  I took a ton of workshops and wound up make minibooks galore.

Here's one that I finished up today.  Boy oh boy did I have fun!  This was the first crafting that I've really done all year.  The original design was for this book was created by Nana Campana.  You can view Nana's class sample on her blog at this link: Nana Campana's Little Book of Me .

My version of the minibook is based on my daughter's preschool days.  It's been amazing to see my baby grow into a preschooler.  Her world of discovery is awesome and kindergarden is not too far off.

We used My Little Shoebox's "Pretty Little Things".

So here we go:

The Cover

Learning to write her letters.

Coloring mostly within the lines.

Two little mice & go fish.

Go fish...

Horses or ponies.  She loves them both.

Sunshine and pocket full Ellie creations.

Pocket full of creations.

More pockets.

Ellie's ABC's.

Pocket full of colors.

The workshop sponsors were:  Westcott Brand, @Clearsnap, @My Little Shoebox, @BindItAll, @Faber Castell, @Tombow USA


Thank you for visiting me today.  More minibooks to come...


Smiles,
~Nancy


This project is being linked to Scrapscene's WIP Monday.  

Click here:  Scrapscene

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